Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray has officially declared for the NFL Draft, a move that had been expected considering he has a chance to be a first round selection. If that is indeed the case, he'll be the first athlete ever picked in Round 1 of the MLB and NFL drafts.
Murray, the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner, was selected ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft but he has informed the team he will be pursuing a career in the NFL instead, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
In his first season as QB for the Sooners this year, Murray passed for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns and ran for another 1,001 yards and 12 TDs while leading OU to the College Football Playoff semifinal.
While he has entered his name into the NFL Draft, he still has 72 hours to withdraw if the Athletics make him an offer he can't refuse.
Per ESPN:
"While the draft declaration won't tip Murray's hand, he is facing a decision. He is due into A's camp, where he planned on joining the major league players, by Feb. 15. The NFL combine begins Feb. 26. Whichever sport he chooses, Murray, 21, will need to begin training for it sooner rather than later."
According to ESPN, MLB rules prohibit players from signing major league contracts out of the draft. However, because Murray signed a minor league deal, and because his performance at OU significantly altered the circumstances of his baseball career, Oakland would be within the rules to give Murray a long-term, multi-million dollar extension if that's what it takes to keep him in baseball.
He already has a contract with the A's that includes a $4.66 million signing bonus, so it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.